Matthew 11:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
Matthew 11:1: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities."
This transitional verse marks the shift from instruction to mission. After commissioning and equipping the twelve, Jesus moves to continue his itinerant ministry, signaling that the harvest is urgent. The geography emphasis—“in their cities”—reflects the localized nature of Jesus’ early ministry and the unfolding of the messianic program. It sets the stage for the contrasting responses to Jesus’ deeds and messengers in the following chapters.
Theologically, this verse underscores that Jesus’ work is public, communal, and scalable—ministry happens in communities, through words and deeds, not just private devotion. It affirms the apostolic pattern: Jesus equips, then sends, then expands his work through the Church.
Application: notice how ministry flows from teaching and proclamation into action in daily life. For churches today, it’s a reminder to train and deploy lay people for evangelism and service, and to be intentional about local mission—serving neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. Practical steps: identify a local outreach project, invite a friend to join a service project, or begin a small group focused on loving neighbors.
Cross-References: Luke 9:1-2; Luke 10:1-2; Acts 13:2-3; Romans 10:14-15.